Maviş: 2024 Education Year Marked by Chaos and Solutions Unmet

Maviş pointed out the escalating issues in the Northern Cyprus education system, emphasizing the failure to address basic needs, and the increasing neglect in the sector. He specifically highlighted the government's failure to prioritize education, stating that 2024 will be remembered as a year of "chaos and unresolved problems."

"SCHOOLS LEFT TO CONTAINERS"

Maviş raised concerns about the physical infrastructure of schools, pointing to examples such as Çayırova Primary School and Şehit Yalçın Primary School, where the classrooms have been turned into containers, leaving students in unsafe conditions. "Education cannot be sustained with temporary solutions. Our children's safety is being put at risk," Maviş said.

"BUDGET INSUFFICIENT, RESOURCES MISUSED"

The budget allocated for education, according to Maviş, is far from meeting the sector’s basic needs. He noted that the maintenance and repair of existing schools are neglected and new school constructions are not being undertaken. "Adequate resources must be allocated to ensure that our children receive a healthy education," he emphasized.

"SCHOOLS NOT EARTHQUAKE-RESILIENT"

On the issue of earthquake preparedness, Maviş revealed that only 17% of schools have been made earthquake-resistant. He warned that the remaining buildings pose significant risks to students. "Our children’s safety cannot be left to political negligence," he stressed.

"SPECIAL EDUCATION AND COUNSELOR SHORTAGES WORSEN"

Maviş also addressed the shortage of specialist support for children with special education needs in 2024, noting that the lack of school counselors is weakening psychological support mechanisms. "Special education support is essential for ensuring equal and fair education," he stated.

"VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS ESCALATES"

Maviş expressed concern over the increasing violence in schools, particularly bullying and physical assaults. He stressed that effective measures have not been implemented to combat these issues, urging the establishment of a comprehensive security and psychosocial support plan to ensure a safe educational environment.

"SECULARISM AND SCIENTIFIC BASIS ERODING IN EDUCATION"

Maviş accused the government of undermining the secular and scientific foundations of education. "Education should be independent of religious and political interference. We must defend contemporary, scientific, and secular education principles," he stated.

"HYGIENE CONDITIONS INSUFFICIENT"

Maviş criticized the poor hygiene and health standards in schools, citing issues like the lack of cleaning materials and uncleaned school toilets as violations of students’ right to health.

"FOREIGN STUDENTS LEFT OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM"

Despite the rising number of foreign students, Maviş noted that their language education and integration processes have been neglected. "The language barrier should not stand in the way of their right to education," he emphasized.

"POLITICAL INTERFERENCES DAMAGE EDUCATION"

Maviş further highlighted the political manipulation of education policies, stating, "Schools, teachers, and students are left in the shadow of political impositions. Education policies are being managed in a non-transparent manner."

"SCHOOL-FAMILY AGREEMENT IS NECESSARY"

Maviş advocated for the implementation of a School-Family Agreement to strengthen cooperation between schools, parents, and students, suggesting that this would improve educational efficiency.

"EDUCATION IS OUR FUTURE"

Concluding his statement, Maviş stressed that education cannot be left to negligence, political interference, or temporary fixes. "The future of our children is the future of this country, and defending that future is our duty," he stated, reaffirming KTÖS’s commitment to fighting for a scientific and secular education system.